Machine for recording characters



July 13, 1954 Filed Jan. 12, 1950 H. BASTOW MACHINE FOR RECORDING CHARACTERS 2 Sheets-Sheet l iNvENToR Ha/Vy Basfow KL; [w Mi July 13, 1954 H. BASTOW 2,683,513

MACHINE FOR RECORDING CHARACTERS Filed Jan. 12, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3.

INVENTOR Harry Basfow Patented July 13, 1954 UNHED STATE .E ATENT OFFICE 16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine for recording characters of the same general type as the machines disclosed in my Patents Nos. 2,334,693 and 2,486,777. Since the general purposes and functions of such machines are set forth in my said patents they will not be repeated here.

The machines of my said patents provide for operation of individual selectors to operate individual character recording members to record their characters and provide for operation of a different character recording member to record its character when a predetermined pair of the select rs are operated simultaneously. The present invention has to do with accomplishment of a similar function but in a greatly simplified and improved manner and by the utilization of apparatus which is not only relatively simple, rugged and inexpensive but may be contained within a greatly reduced space.

Instead of employing separate character recording members each carrying one of the character recording means I may count a plurality of character recording means on a single character recording member and differentially operate that character recording member by differential operation of selectors so as to record the character of a selected one of the character recording means. For example, there may be three character recording means mounted on a single character recording member. Two selectors may cooperate with that character "ecording member so that operaticn of one of the selectors brings about operation of the character recording member to record the character of the first character recording means, ope aticn of the other selector brings about operation of the character recording member to record the character of the second character recording means and operation of the two selectors simultaneously brings about operation of the character recording member to record the character of the third character recording means. The character recording member may, for example, be mounted for advancement to record its characters and for transverse movement and restraint against transverse movement simultaneously with advancement to select the particular character to be recorder upon each operation. For example, the character recording member may be simultaneously advanceable and turnable so as to position one character recording means in operative position when it is turned in one direction it is being advanced, to position another character recording means in operative position when it is turned in another direction as it is being advanced and to position still another character recording means in operative position when it is advanced without simultaneous turning. The selectors may be connected with the character recording memher so that when one of them is operated it turns the character recording member in one direction and when the other is operated it turns the character recording member in the opposite direction and when both selectors are operated simultaneously they counteract each other so that the character recording member is advanced straight forward and not turned in either direction.

I provide for recording the characters of the various character recording means carried by the character recording member in substantially the same position, thereby making possible great reduction in the width of the machine as well as the width or" the recording medium which is ordinarily a paper strip presented to the character recording means by being disposed about a roller which turns through a predetermined increment intermediate recording operations. Preferably the character recording means mounted on each character recording member are disposed in a common plane, such plane preferably being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the roller. Thus only one lateral space on the paper strip is required for three selectively operable carriers in a single position of the roller. If a roller shifting mechanism is used the number of characters which may be selectively recorded at a single point may be increased.

I preferably provide a carrier which is advanceable in a character recording operation and mount the character recording member on the carrier. The character recording member may be pivoted to the carrier and in such case the pivot is preferably parallel to the axis of the roller. The carrier may be advanced and the character recording member either turned relatively to the carrier or maintained against turning by two slides which are preferably positioned on opposite sides of the carrier. The two slides and the carrier are preferably disposed in a plane either coincident with or parallel to the plane defined by the three character recording means on the character recording member. The structure may be such that when either one of the slides advances alone it engages the character recording member and through such ongagement both advances and turns the character recording member to present a predetermined character recording means in operative position to record its character. One of the slides turns the character recording member in one direction and the other turns it in the other direction. When both slides are advanced simultaneously they counteract each other insofar as the turning effect is concerned and cooperate to advance the character recording member straight forward to present another predetermined character recording means in operative position to record its character. For example, the three character recording means may be arranged in a vertical row on the character recording member so that when the character recording member is turned upwardly the lowermost character recording means becomes operative, when the character recording member is turned downwardly the uppermost character recording means becomes operative and when the character recording member is advanced straight forward without being turned either upwardly or downwardly the middle character recording means becomes operative.

Selectors which may be pivoted key levers are mounted so as to cooperate respectively with the slides, one selector for each slide. The two selectors for operating two slides which are arranged in a common plane are preferably also arranged in a common plane either coincident with or parallel to the plane of the slides. Preferably the three character recording means, the two slides for rendering those character recording means selectively operable and the two key levers for operating the slides are all arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of the roller, such plane normally being a vertical plane since generally the roller will be positioned with its axis horizontal. Thus my improved mechanism may occupy a small fraction of the space required by mechanism heretofore provided for accomplishing the same function, there are fewer working parts to require repair and adjustment and the structure is of extreme simplicity. Its ultimate effect is to greatly reduce the size, weight and cost of the machine as a whole. A record equivalent to the records produceable on the machines of my prior patents may be produced on my present machine on a strip of half the width of the strip previously required.

Other details, objects and advantage of the invention will become aparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

Figure l is a face view of character recording mechanism in a machine for recording characters, the mechanism being shown in at rest or inoperative position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with one of the key levers operated;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2 but with the other key lever operated; and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3 but with both key levers operated simultaneously.

I have not shown in the drawings the machine frame or any portions other than the portions constituting my invention since machines of the type in question are Well known and those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in embodying my invention in a machine for recording characters from the drawings above referred to taken in connection with the description to follow. See also my Patents Nos. 2,334,693 and 2,486,777.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine has the usual roller 2 against which a strip of paper (not shown) upon which the record is to be printed is advanced, the means for advancing and guiding the strip being of known construction and forming no part of the present invention. An ink-laden ribbon (not shown) is provided which passes transversely in front of the strip which is disposed against the roller 2 so that the character recording means presently to be described strike the ribbon and through the ribbon record their respective characters on the strip. The roller 2 turns through a predetermined increment intermediate recording operations and carries the strip with it. All this is well known in the art.

The machine consists of a number of character recording members arranged in parallel relation in front of the roller 2 for operation by key levers as will presently be described, one of the character recording members being designated by reference numeral 3. Each character recording member may be stamped out of thin sheet or strip metal and is positioned in the machine in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the roller 2. The character recording members 3 may be positioned close together in side-by-side relationship. The structure and operation of each of them may be explained by illustrating and describing the structure and operation of one.

In the drawings one of the character recording members 3 is shown, such member having at its left-hand extremity three character recording means or types designated respectively by reference numerals 4, 5 and 6. The types 4, 5 and 5 are arranged in a vertical row so that depending upon the angularity of the member 3 as it is advanced toward the roller 2 any one of the three types may record its character. When the member 3 advances to the left without being tilted the center type 5 records its character. When the member 3 advances to the left while having its left-hand end tilted upwardly the lower type 4 records its character. When the member 3 advanes to the left while having its left-hand end tilted downwardly the upper type 6 records its character. The means for mounting and operating the member 3 will now be described.

The member 3 is pivoted to a carrier 1 by a pivot pin 8 whose axis is parallel to the axis of the roller 2. The member 3 has opposed ears 9 and ID, the ear 9 projecting upwardly and the ear I0 projecting downwardly. The carrier 1 has a rearwardly projecting stem II which is normally urged rearwardly or to the right by a coil spring I2 biased between the stem II and the frame of the machine.

I provide two slides designated respectively by reference numerals l3 and M, the slide [3 being disposed above the stem H and the slide M being disposed below the stem II. The carrier 1 and the slides l3 and I4 may all be of thin sheet or strip metal and may all be arranged in a common vertical plane which is preferably the vertical plane defined by the three types 4, 5 and 6. The slides I3 and I4 and the carrier 7 are supported in the machine and guided for movement from right to left and vice versa by supporting and guiding brackets i5 and 16 connected by screws or other connectors I! with a portion of the frame. The brackets l5 and I6 may be combined into a single bracket if desired. The brackets l5 and 16 are likewise preferably of thin sheet or strip metal so that they occupy very little space transversely of the machine or perpendicularly to the paper viewing the drawings. They support and guide the slides l3 and I4 and the carrier 1 as the stem ll of the carrier is disposed between the slides and the slides and the stem are confined by the brackets.

Pivoted to the frame by a pivot l8 whose axis is parallel to the axis of the roller 2 is a key lever I9. The lever I9 is of bell crank lever construction having a downwardly projecting arm 20 enterin a slot 2| in the upper portion of the slide I3 and having a generally horizontal arm 22 carrying a key 23 for manual operation. The key lever I9 is biased to turn in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of the pivot I8 by a coil spring 23 biased between the key lever and the frame. Movement of the slide l3 toward the right is limited by a stop 25 carried by the frame.

Similarly there is pivoted to the frame by a pivot 26 Whose axis is parallel to the axis of the roller 2 a key lever 21. The lever 21 is of bell crank lever construction having a downwardly projecting arm 28 entering a slot 29 in the upper portion of the slide I4 and having a generally horizontal arm 30 carrying a key 3| for manual operation. The key lever 21 is biased to turn in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of the pivot 26 by a coil spring 32 biased between the key lever and the frame. Movement of the slide l4 toward the right is limited by a stop 33 carried by the frame.

The key levers l9 and 21 are preferably also of thin sheet or strip metal and are preferably disposed generally one above the other in the same vertical plane which is preferably the vertical plane in which the slides l3 and I4 and the carrier '8 are disposed. Thus in the preferred arrangement the types 4, 5 and 5, the member 3, the carrier I, the slides I3 and i4 and the key levers l9 and 2? are all disposed in a common vertical plane. This is made possible through the selection and association of the elements as shown and described.

The structure is such that depression of the key 23 prints the type 6, depression of the key 3| prints the type 4 and simultaneous depression of both of the keys 23 and 3| prints the type 5.

Figure 2 shows the key 3| depressed. Depressin of that key moves the slide I4 to the left, that slide engaging the ear ID of the member 3 and simultaneously advancing the member 3 and with it the carrier I and also tilting the member 3 upwardly as shown in Figure 2 until the type 4 prints on the roller 2. A guide 34 is disposed to be engaged by the upper portion of the extremity of the member 3 as shown in Figure 2 after the member 3 has turned about the axis of the pivot 8 to a predetermined extent so that during the final portion of the advance of the memher 3 it advances substantially rectilinearly, being guided along the guide 34 until the type 4 prints on the paper disposed about the roller 2.

It is possible to operate the mechanism without the guide 3d but the employment of the guide insures more accurate positioning of the character on the record strip.

Figure 3 shows the key 23 depressed. Depressingof that key moves the slide l3 to the left, that slide engaging the ear 9 of the member 3 and simultaneously advancing the member 3 and with it the carrier 1 and also tilting the member 3 downwardly as shown in Figure 3 until the type 6 prints on the roller 2. A guide 35 is disposed to be engaged by the lower portion of the extremity of the member 3 as shown in Figure 3 after the member 3 has turned about the axis of the pivot 8 to a predetermined extent so that during the final portion of the advance of the member 3 it advances substantially rectilinearly, being guided along the guide 35 until the type B prints on the paper disposed about the roller 2.

Figure 4 shows the keys 23 and 3| both depressed at the same time. Depressing of the two keys simultaneously moves both of the slides I3 and I4 to the left, those slides respectively engaging the ears 9 and I0 and causing movement straight to the left of the member 3 and the carrier 1 without tilting of the member 3 in either direction to print the type 5. The slides l3 and I4 when simultaneously operated counteract each other insofar as turning of the member 3 is concerned so that the member 3 does not turn or tilt either upwardly or downwardly and the middle type 5 prints.

After each character recording operation the parts are returned to their inoperative or at rest position shown in Figure 1 by the springs I2, 2 and 32. The inoperative positions of the slides l3 and Hi and the key levers I9 and 27 are determined by the stops 25 and 33. The inoperative position of the member 3 and the carrier 1 is determined by engagement of the ears 9 and It with the slides l3 and M respectively.

Thus I have in a very simple, direct, inexpensive and foolproof manner provided for selective recording of two characters by individual operation of selectors therefor and for non-recording of both of those characters and recordin instead a third character upon simultaneous operation of both selectors. The number of working parts is greatly reduced and the mechanism is adapted for incorporation in a machine much narrower than prior machines which will make an equivalent record on a strip half as Wide as the strips previously required.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for recording characters, a first character recording means, a single train of mechanism including a selector for operating the first character recording means to record its character, a second character recordin means in the same plane as the first character recording means, means including a selector separate from said first mentioned selector operable in a plane which is one of (1) parallel to and (2) co inciding with said first mentioned plane for operating the second character recording means to record its character, the first mentioned selector being operable in the same plane as the second mentioned selector, and a third character recording means operable to record its character upon simultaneous operation of said selectors.

2. In a machine for recording characters, a first character recording means, a single train of mechanism including a selector for operating the first character recording means to record its character at a predetermined point, a second character recording means, means including a selector mounted to operate a portion of said single train of mechanism and ancillary mechanism cooperable with said portion of said single train of mechanism for operating the second character recording means to record its character at substantially said predetermined point and a third character recording means operable to record its character upon simultaneous operation of said selectors, said selectors being operable in the same plane.

3. In a machine for recording characters, a first character recording means, a second character recording means in the same plane as the first character recording means, a single train of mechanism including a selector operable in said plane for operating the first character recording means to record its character, means including a selector mounted to operate a portion of said single train of mechanism and ancillary mechanism cooperable with said portion of said single train of mechanism operable in said plane for operating the second character recording means to record its character and a third character recording means operable to record its character upon simultaneous operation of said selectors.

4. In a machine for recording characters, a character recording member having thereon first and second character recording means, a single train of mechanism including a selector for operating the character recording member to record the character of the first character recording means, means including a selector separate from said first mentioned selector for operating the character recording member to record the character of the second character recording means and a third character recording means operable to record its character upon simultaneous operation of said selectors, said selectors being operable in the same plane.

5. In a machine for recording characters, a character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means, a

single train of mechanism including a selector 0 neous operation of said selectors, said selectors i being operable in the same plane.

6. In a machine for recording characters, a character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means all disposed in a common plane, a single train of mechanism including a selector operable in a plane which is one of (1) parallel to and (2) coinciding with said first mentioned plane for operating the character recording member to record the character of the first character record ing means and means including a selector separate from said first mentioned selector operable in said second mentioned plane for operating the character recording member to record the character of the second character recording means, the character recording member being operable to record the characmr of the third character recording means upon simultaneous operation of said selectors,

'i. In a machine for recording characters, a character recordin member having thereon first, second and third character recording means, means including a selector connected with the character recording member and operable to tilt the character recording member in one direction and record the character of the first character recording means and means including a selector separate from said first mentioned selector connected with the character recording member and operable independently of the first mentioned selector to tilt the character recording member in the opposite direction and record the character of the second character recording means, the character recording member being operable to record the character of the third 8 character recording means upon simultaneous operation of said selectors.

8. In a machine for recording characters, a carrier advanceable in a character recording operation, a character recording member pivoted to the carrier, the character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means, first operating means operable to advance the carrier and tilt the character recording member in one direction to record the character of the first character recording means and second operating means operable independently of at least a portion of the first operating means to advance the carrier and tilt the character recording member in the opposite direction to record the character of the second character recording means, the first and second operating means when operated simultaneously advancing the carrier but without tilting the character recording member whereby the character recording member is operated to record the character of the third character recording means.

9. In a machine for recording characters, a carrier advanceable in a character recording operation, a character recording member mounted on the carrier and movable relatively thereto, the character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means, first operating means disposed at one side of the carrier operable to advance the carrier and move the character recording member in one direction relatively to the carrier to record the character of the first character recording means and second operating means disposed at the opposite side of the carrier operable to advance the carrier and move the character recording member in the 0pposite direction relatively to the carrier to record the character of the second character recording means, the first and second operating means when operated simultaneously advancing the carrier and character recording member to record the character of the third character recording means.

10. In a machine for recording characters, a carrier advanceable in a character recording operation, a character recording member mounted on the carrier and movable relatively to the carrier generally in a plane parallel to the direction of advance of the carrier, the character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means substantially in alignment generally parallel to said plane, first operating means operable to advance the carrier and move the character recording member in one direction relatively to the carrier to record the character of the first character recording means and second operating means operable to advance the carrier and move the character recording member in the opposite direction relatively to the carrier to record the character of the second character recording means, the first and second operating means when operated simultaneously advancing the carrier and character recording member to record the character of the third character recording means.

11. In a machine for recording characters, a carrier advanceable in a character recording operation, a character recording member mounted on the carrier and movable relatively to the carrier generally in a plane parallel to the direction of advance of the carrier, the character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means in alignment generally parallel to said plane, first operating means disposed at one side of the carrier operable to advance the carrier and move the character recording member in one direction relatively to the carrier to record the character of the first character recording means and second operating means disposed at the opposite side of the carrier operable to advance the carrier and move the character recording member in the opposite direction relatively to the carrier to record the character of the second character recording means, the carrier and the first and second operating means being disposed generally in a plane which is one of (1) parallel to and (2) coinciding with said first mentioned plane, he first and second operating means when operated simultaneously advancing the carrier and character recording member to record the character of the third character recording means.

12. In a machine for recording characters, a carrier advanceable in character recording operation, a character recording member pivoted to the carrier by a generally horizontal pivot, the character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means substantially in alignment generally in a vertical plane perpendicular to the pivot, a first slide operable to engage the character recording member to advance the carrier and turn the character recording member upwardly about the pivot relatively to the carrier to record the character of the first character recording means and a second slide disposed opposite the first slide relatively to the carrier so that the first slide, the carrier and the second slide all lie substantially in a vertical plane perpendicular to the pivot, the second slide being operable to engage the character recording member to advance the carrier and turn the character recording member downwardly about the pivot relatively to the carrier to record the character of the second character recording means, the first and second slides when operated simultaneously both engaging the character recording member to counteract each other with respect to their tendency to turn the character recording member about the pivot and advancing the carrier and the character recording member to record the character of the third character recording means.

13. In a machine for recording characters, a character recording member having thereon a plurality of character recording means, the charv acter recording member being advanceable to record the character of one of the character recording means, the character recording member being simultaneously advanceable and movable transversely of the direction of advance to record the character of another of the character recording means, and guide means engageable by the character recording member during simultaneous advance and transverse movement of the character recording member and after predemeans and being simultaneously advanceable and movable in the opposite direction transversely of the direction of advance to record the character of another of the character recording means, and opposed guides respectively engageable by the character recording member during simultaneous advance and transverse movement of the character recording member and afte* predetermined transverse movement of the character recording member in one or the other direction to limit such transverse movement and insure proper further advance of the character recording member to record the character of the first mentioned character recording means or the character of the second mentioned character recording means depending upon the direction of transverse movement of the character recording member.

3.5. a machine for recording characters, a character recording member having thereon a plurality of character recording means, first operating means for simultaneously advancing and moving in one direction transversely of the direction of advance the character recording member to record the character of one of the character recording means, second operating means for simultaneously advancing and moving in the opposite direction transversely of the direction of advance the character recording member to record the character of a second one of the character recording means and opposed guides respectively engageable by the character recording member during simultaneous advance and transverse movement of the character recording member and after predetermined transverse movement of the character recording member in one or the other direction to limit such transverse movement and insure proper further advance of the character recording member to record the character of the first mentioned character recording means or the character of the second mentioned character recording means depending upon the direction of transverse movement of the character recording member, the first operating means and the second operating means when simultaneously operated advancing the character recording member to record the character of a third one of the character recording means.

16. In a machine for recording characters, a character recording member having thereon first, second and third character recording means all disposed in a common plane, means including a slide advanceable in said plane for operating the character recording member to record the character of the first character recording means, means including a second slide also advanceable in said plane for operating the character recording member to record the character of the second character recording means, said slides when simultaneously advanced operating the character recording member to record the character of the third character recording means, and two selectors, both also operable in said plane, for respectively advancing the slides.

References Gited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 594,777 Burridge Nov. 30, 1897 2,390,414 Ayres et al Dec. 4, 1945 2,408,453 Stixrud Oct. 1, 1946 2,428,605 Ayres Oct. 7, 1947 

